Saturday, May 19, 2012

Little Lesson: Reflections (REPRINT 2003)

I was driving past the lake, admiring the reflection of the trees against the water and the sparkle of the sun on the snow. It looked so beautiful, but at times I had to turn my head away because the sun bouncing off of the scenery blinded me. The light was so bright that it actually hurt, and it took my focus off of the road ahead. Fearing that I'd end up in the ditch, I was forced to search for that yellow line in front of me.

Reflections in life can put us in a ditch, too. Not in the same way that the sun bounces off of the water droplets and blinds our eyes, but by looking back and contemplating the images of the past. Looking back once in a while to enjoy a pleasant memory, or maybe to draw on past experiences to prevent future mistakes, is a good thing. Other times, it becomes dangerous and even painful. We're designed for forward motion. Moving forward, whether walking, running or driving, becomes very complicated, even injurious, if your eyes are focused behind you. God intends for us to keep moving ahead, with our eyes trained on that path that He has for our lives. We are not to dwell on what's behind us, on those "reflections" of years past. They tend to mire us in self-pity, bogged down by a lot of "what if's" and "if only's". They hold our feet fast, and prevent us from doing what God has called us to do for fear of adding to our list of failures. It's time to turn around. The past is the past, and today is a new day.

Praying that today you will see the beauty of your life as it reflects the light of Christ, and that you can find peace in the releasing of those painful reflections. That you will be able to forget what is behind, and strain toward what is ahead, as you press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called you heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14 (paraphrased)